分別功德論 4.29

4.29

The reason why Śīla is said to eat at one sitting is that this refers to a practice of the dhūtas. In the practice of an āraṇyaka, one may beg for food, sit under a tree, or dwell alone in solitude. Now, eating at one sitting means that from early morning until noon, if a dānapati provides food, no matter how much or little, he simply sits in one place and eats. If he is not yet full and has not moved from his seat, he may eat more; but if he has already risen, he must not eat again. Constantly eating in one place without departing, Śīla is therefore called foremost.